Compliments of the Barbados Nation News by PHILIP SPOONER

THE GATES of Kensington Oval were spread open yesterday and close to 5 000 fans rushed in to catch the World Cup "fever" for free.

The match between the two surprise Super 8 teams – Ireland and Bangladesh – started with a small gathering, but by afternoon the stands were bursting as the crowd swelled to 15 511, which created the liveliest and most colourful party of the five weeks of the tournament so far. < Read more >

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WES HALL is happy. But what's new, he is always happy, always smiling, always bubbly, always the life of the party.

What's new is Kensington Oval, the spanking new ultra-modern cricket ground to host the final of the Cricket World Cup – the biggest event ever to come this side of the world.

The Reverend – former fast bowler, selector, manager, board president, senator and minister of Government – has fallen in love with the new facility which is the heartbeat of Bridgetown.

He celebrated with the thousands of Bajans and visitors on Saturday afternoon at the reopening of the ground, which has re-emerged after 19 months of hard work at a cost of $135 million.

"We have to know our history. We have to know where we have come from to know where we are and where we are going," he said. < Read more >

The statue of cricket's greatest player, Sir Garfield Sobers, was rededicated at its new home, the spanking Kensington Oval, yesterday evening. Sir Garfield, Prime Minister Owen Arthur and members of his Cabinet, as well as a number of former Test players, were on hand for the hour-long ceremony. Reverend Wesley Hall, who played cricket with Sir Garfield, described him during a brief address as a great but humble man. "There is not a trace of egotism in his body, but massive strokes of humility," Hall declared. Last year, the statue was moved from the Garfield Sobers Roundabout in Wildey, St Michael, to be a major attraction at the rebuilt Kensington Oval.

March 19th 2007 by HAYDN GILL in Jamaica Compliments of the Barbados Nation news

THE EVENTS of the past few days have demonstrated there are no predictable results in Cricket World Cup 2007.

As West Indies prepare to face Zimbabwe at Sabina Park today, they would have sat back and taken note of what Ireland did to Pakistan and what Bangladesh did to India on Saturday.

The shock results have thrown the notion through the window that the majority of group stage matches were going to be predictable with results in favour of the eight leading international nations against the fledgling countries.

Against that background, West Indies captain Brian Lara is not under-estimating either Zimbabwe or Ireland.

"It's going to be very competitive. Zimbabwe and Ireland have shown they cannot be taken lightly," Lara said yesterday.

"We're going to play the game with the same gusto like we had against Pakistan. A win tomorrow [today] will put us into the second stage, but it doesn't mean we have any points as yet.

"We've got a very important two games left and we're going to take each game one at a time." < Read more >

March 13th 2007 Compliments of the Barbados Nation News by HAYDN GILL in Jamaica

THE REHEARSALS and warm-ups are over. Today it is serious business. And following yesterday's final practice session at Kensington Park in Jamaica, Brian Lara and his men geared themselves mentally for their first mission of Cricket World Cup 2007 – beat the Pakistanis in today's lead-off first-round match of the tourney. Here (from left) Lara, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard and Daren Powell going through a final exercise routine. (Picture by Brooks LaTouche Photography.) < Read more >

Compliments of the Nation News by HAYDN GILL in Guyana GEORGETOWN – The manner in which Barbados captured the 2007 Carib Beer Cup here yesterday was an example of a team in a class of their own. Ruthless fast bowling by Tino Best and crafty left-arm spin by Ryan Hinds spectacularly turned an evenly poised match into a stunning collapse and a win over Guyana at Bourda that guaranteed them the island's 20th first-class title. < Read more >

ALMOST THERE. Crews continue to work 24/7 to prepare Kensington Oval and its environs for hosting Cricket World Cup matches, including the grand final on Saturday, April 28. As the construction hoarding came down over the weekend, the impressive-looking facility caught the eye of many passers-by. Above, from the northen side, four special tents have been set up in the area called the Plaza, where the statue of Sir Garfield Sobers rests. Miles Weekes, chief facilities development officer for the Barbados local organising committee, told the DAILY NATION yesterday the tents were being erected for the February 17 opening event as well as during the World Cup to facilitate security checks of patrons and their possessions as they enter the Oval. (Picture by Gregory Waldron.) Nation News

January 07, 2007by HAYDN GILL Compliments of the Nation News HATS OFF to Barbados' cricketers. On a day of excitement and intrigue, they staged a grand revival against Trinidad and Tobago to move within heartbeats of a comeback victory against the defending double-crown champions. < Read more >

BARBADOS - cricket - 2006

Date November 09, 2006 Compliments of the Nation News Brief Under-19 final here at last by EZRA STUART AFTER A MONTH'S WAIT, defending champions Combermere and title challengers Lodge will now contest the final of the Barbados Cricket Association's Schools Under-19 Tournament at the Police Sports Complex. < Read more >

by HAYDN GILL September 2006 Compliments of the Nation News FIFTEEN YEARS of going without Division 1 cricket glory ended in emotional celebrations for Caribbean Lumber YMPC at Windward Club. < Read more >

Kensington Oval is taking shape for the 2007 International Cricket Council World Cup, key officials went on a three-hour tour of the historic ground. What they saw was a lush green outfield, a "square" taking shape and a spanking new Garfield Sobers Player Pavilion. Soil and agronomy specialists also carried out tests on the pitch and field. Here, a look at the new pavilion with the nets in the foreground. Inset, Courtney Browne (centre), the cricket operations manager for Barbados, does a turf test accompanied by Winston Reid (left), of the Barbados Local Organising Committee, and Francis Lopez, of the event's sports agronomy team.

COMBERMERE GLORY. The trophies keep coming. Combermere added yet another title to their growing collection yesterday. The school's junior cricketers lifted the Cable & Wireless Under-15 championship after completing a big victory by 182 runs against Alexandra at Wildey. Compliments of the Nation News

July 2006 by HAYDN GILL in Antigua Compliments of the Nation News Barbados, the first of the regional powerhouses to make an appearance in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, started their quest toward the US$1 million jackpot with a 38-run victory over unproven Anguilla under the lights here last night It could have been more convincing, but it was good enough before an almost packed Stanford Cricket Ground that took on a wonderful festive atmosphere. < Read More>

The Prince gave his subjects a taste of just what class batting is. Though finishing 46 runs short of a century, West Indies batting star Brian Lara still made the Carlton Ground in Black Rock the place to be. Combining deft touches with sporadic bursts of power, Lara was one of three players from Trinidad and Tobago who made half-centuries, as Trinidad dominated the first day of their Carib Beer Series match against Barbados. Lara thrilled the crowd before a catch by Kirk Edwards, off a smashing cover drive, left the ground abuzz. He stood his ground, eventually leaving after umpires Tunley Franklyn and Eddie Nicholls confirmed it carried.

Shane Murray gave national junior selectors something to think about with an unbeaten 75 on the opening day of the first set of National Under-19 cricket trial matches. Playing at Queen's Park, Murray was the bright spot for Shamarh Brooks' side which made 254 against Jonathan Carter's team.
	West Indies Under-19 players Javon Searles (left), Shamarh Brooks (centre) and Kemar Roach on their return from Trinidad. The trio played a number of trial matches in Trinidad, impressing the selectors enough to be chosen for the tour of Pakistan in January, and the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka in February.

Caribbean Cricket

Sporting islands

Sunrise had their party before sunset. The St Philip team are now the toast of the Barbados Cricket League (BCL), after defeating Shannon by six wickets in the final of the Banks/BCL Knockout tournament Here, Sunrise team and supporters basking in the glory of their triumph.
	Stephen Alleyne, CEO of World Cup Barbados Inc., pondering over a photograph of the old Kensington Oval. OVAL CHECK Published on: 2/21/06. by PHILIP SPOONER Compliments of the Nation News
	MONDAY, February 27, will be judgement day for the Cricket World Cup 2007 (CWC) project in Barbados. That's the day assessors from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the CWC hierarchy will be on the island to have a critical look at the work at Kensington Oval.

From this visit it will be decided if Barbados can meet its obligations, or whether the island will be removed from the list of countries to host matches.

Barbados will be the first stop in the week-long tour, which will also see the experts visiting Grenada, Guyana, Antigua, and the two venues in Jamaica, Sabina Park and Trelawney.

Stephen Alleyne, chief executive officer of Barbados' local organising committee, said he was eagerly awaiting the visit and was confident Barbados would be given the approval of the senior officials.

"Let the work begin!" was the call of Stephen Alleyne, chief executive officer of World Cup Barbados, and workmen moved in with a giant machine and demolished the sightscreen in front of the Peter Short Media Centre at the Kensington Oval on June 18th 2005. At 10:13 a.m. the coral stone sightscreen at the Malcolm Marshall End of the Oval came tumbling down. It was the start of demolition of the Oval to make way for a new, ultra-modern 28 000-seat stadium which will host the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

"The visit will be aimed at the readiness of venues, not the general overview of the island," he told DAILY NATION.

"It will focus on the Oval itself and we are confident that all has been put in place to ensure that the project meets its timelines."

The overall assessment of the island's readiness to host the tournament is being conducted on an ongoing basis by various officials of the ICC and the CWC.

Alleyne added that despite a portion of the preparations being five weeks behind schedule, a lot of work was being done to get all in place. He also noted Barbados had not been forced to make adjustments to its seating capacity and was still operating with a capacity of 27 000.

In recent weeks, there has been concern in some quarters over the progress of the project. Prime Minister Owen Arthur last week took over leadership of the overall developments after touring the Oval.

In an interview last year, Don Lockerbie, head of venue development for the tournament, said the timelines were "real" and this process was key to the readiness of all the countries.

Following the official venue assessments, decisions will be made to grade the venues. After this, any venue which is in doubt will be further evaluated in the week leading up to the general meeting of the ICC and the CWC on May 11.

philipspooner@nationnews.com

'World Cup must be world class'

Reproduced compliments of the Nation News
Published on: 1/12/06.

MANAGING Director and chief executive officer (CEO) of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc. Chris Dehring has reminded staff at the headquarters in Jamaica that "everything (for the event) must be done to world-class standards".
Noting that this year was of crucial importance in ensuring next year's tournament was "the best Cricket World Cup ever", he told colleagues at a company retreat last Saturday that the cricketing world would be watching the Caribbean and depending on the region to deliver a first-rate event on all fronts, especially in hosting the 16 competing teams.
"Everything we do – from answering the phones right through to match-day execution – must be done to world-class standards and everybody's role is vital," Dehring said.

Read more

Stanford 20/20 Tournament

Reproduced compliments of The Nation New June 2005 Demolition man . The tearing down of Barbados' most renowned sports ground, Kensington Oval, has not yet started, but some of its most endearing items have already been stripped. Yesterday, roving photographer Charles Pitt-Grant was on hand to see workmen removing numbers from the scoreboard. It's proof the countdown has really started for Cricket World Cup 2007

Reproduced compliments of The Nation News APRIL 2005 Sir Everton’s comments came during his tribute to Kensington Oval during the 'Forever Kensington' tribute which was held on Tuesday night. The occasion was to mark the end of an era, prior to yesterday's start of the major reconstruction to get the ground ready to host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. 'People tend to put you down very quickly, especially in Barbados, when you don't perform well. You would have noticed recently that Barbadians did not come out to see the test match because they didn't like the way our boys were performing’.

"I think that we should rally around them. I think that they will come good again," he added.

With the understanding that Kensington Oval will be transformed into a modern facility capable of hosting major events of all kinds, fans were also assured that the majesty and history of the great ground will always be a part of the Barbadian landscape.

That was the major theme which came across during the 'Forever Kensington' tribute, which featured reflections on the history of Kensington Oval from members of the Pickwick Cricket Club and from Barbadian legends, who vividly recounted their best memories of the ground. < Read more >

FAREWELL, KENSINGTON. Gordon Brooks, the best known and most experienced cricket photographer in the Caribbean, walking away on Sunday evening from the famous ground before it is demolished and rebuilt for World Cup 2007. Brooks, who has followed West Indies around on camera for more than three decades, made the trek around the Oval minutes after West Indiescrushed Pakistan in four days. It was their 21st victory on the ground.

Compliments of the Nation News

WITH THE MOON as the backdrop, Kensington Oval said "good night" on Monday to signal the end to 120 years of rich entertainment.

The night belonged to every one of the over 1 000 patrons at the closing ceremony as authorities get ready to demolish the ground to make way for a new 27 000-seat stadium for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. < Read more >

TINO BEST is back, but the West Indies selectors have resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes in the aftermath of a second successive Test defeat to South Africa.

After close to ninth months in the international wilderness with a back injury, the livewire Barbadian fast bowler is set to return in the fourth Digicel Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground, starting Friday. < Read more >

Sunday 03, April-2005

Barbadian Pedro Collins is estactic after collecting the wicket of South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs, who was trapped leg before. No contract dispute, no absence of super star players, not even bad weather, seemed able to keep West Indies down over the past two days. The boys in maroon completed another spectacular performance on the third day of the first Digicel Test against South Africa yesterday, and are close to a victory not even the most die-hard fan would have dared predict last week. Already with a comfy 543 runs on the board, pacers Darren Powell, Pedro Collins and Reon King grabbed two wickets apiece to place the Windies in full control, as South Africa struggled to 130 for six in their first innings on a day that saw action start at 2:15 p.m. because of a water logged field from overnight rains.

Compliments of the Nation News

Floyd Reifer (left), new technical adviser of the Barbados team, speaking with allrounder Sulieman Benn.

Barbados’ young batsmen got some words of advice as they prepared for tomorrow’s crucial Carib Beer Series contest against Jamaica at Windward Cricket Club, St Philip.
Floyd Reifer, the new technical adviser of the side, was on hand at the indoor nets at 3Ws Oval where the Bajans had an intense three-hour session. < Read more >

The move by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to appoint a foreign coach has been met with approval by a man whose application for the job was once rejected.

Roland Butcher, the former England batsman who was born in Barbados, yesterday lauded the board for the bold move, as he responded to questions on the appointment of Australian Bennett King as coach. < Read more >

West Indies players continue to put in the hard work as they face the tough regime set-out by new coach Bennett King. Several players have been feeling the pain but enjoying themselves.

There has been work in the indoor and outdoor nets, day workouts on the beach, strength and fitness drills, as well as classroom sessions with computer and video images. The 25 players are all here and are preparing for VB Series Tri-nation tournament in Australia.

BARBADOS - cricket

Carib Beer Series 2005

It’s a big day for Jason Bennett today. After two outstanding seasons for West Indies “B” in the Carib Beer Series, the 22-year-old fast bowler makes his debut for Barbados.
The defending double crown champions bowl off their season with a match against Windward Islands at the 3Ws Oval.

Bennett warmed up for battle in the nets at Weymouth yesterday under the watchful eye of Roddy Estwick, one of three coaches assisting team coach Hendy Springer.

Compliments of the Nation News

Sunday 16, January-2005
Barbadian opener Dale Richards executing a superb straight drive during his entertaining 54 not out against Trinidad and Tobago at the North Stars ground last week Saturday at the Carib Beer Series

A tense 24 hours, highlighted by heart-stopping and heightened anxiety, climaxed with euphoric island-wide celebrations last night after it was announced that Barbados, the country with the richest cricketing tradition in the Caribbean, would host the final of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

The grand announcement was made by CWC 2007 Inc. managing director, Chris Dehring, at 9:20 p.m. from the Ritz Carlton Resort in the northern Jamaica tourist resort of Montego Bay. < Read more >

A toast to success: Chairman of WorldCup Barbados Inc, Chris DeCaires (second from left) celebrates the selection of Barbados as one of the host venues for matches in ICC CWC WI 2007, with his staff at their Manor Lodge headquarters, immediately after the announcement of the eight venues yesterday.

Kensington Oval has been chosen as one of the eight official venues to host matches in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007. < Read more>

BARBADOS CRICKET 2004

BARBADOS